Helpful hints on how to choose the right diameter for your horseshoes and captive bead rings. Look at the millimeter or mm, the smaller the number the smaller the ring. For example a 6mm ring is so small it's  made in 14 gauge or smaller. Your more likely going to find a 0 gauge in 22 or 25 mm. Remember, the diameter of body jewelry earrings is the measurement of the void of the inside of the ring.

THE MOST COMMON SIZES ARE IN BOLD PRINT

------ 1/4" (6mm) ~ This is a small diameter and can only be made from a small gauge ie... 20, 18, 16 and 14. This is a good size for tragus, nostil (not septum) and upper ear cartiledge piercings

------- 5/16" (8mm) ~ This is a small diameter and can only be made from a small gauge ie... 20, 18, 16 and 14. This is a good size for tragus, nostril ( not septum), upper ear cartilage, earlobe and eyebrow piercings.

--------- 3/8" (9.5mm) ~ This is a small/medium diameter and can be made from small to medium gauges ie... 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10 and 8. This is a good size for septum, earlobes, eyebrows, navel, lip and nipple piercings.

---------- 7/16" (11mm) ~ This is a medium diameter and can be made with small to medium gauges ie... 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10 and 8. This is a good size for septum, earlobes, eyebrows, navel, lip and nipple piercings.

----------- 1/2" (12mm) ~ This is a medium diameter and can be made with many gauges ie... 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4 and 2. This a common size with many uses. Good for septums, earlobe, eyebrow, navel, lip,  nipple and genital piercings.

------------- 9/16" (14mm) ~ This is a medium/large diameter and can be made with many gauges ie... 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4,  and 2. This is a good size if you want to stand out. Good for earlobes, nipples and prince albert piercings.

--------------- 5/8" (16mm) ~ This is a large diameter and can be made from many gauges ie... 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 0 and 00. These will definately draw attention. Good for earlobes and nipples

---------------- 11/16" (17mm) ~ This is a large diameter ring and can be made from many gauges but very hard to find.

------------------ 3/4" (19mm) ~ This is a large diameter ring. Can be made from many gauges but is more commonly made from the large gauges ie... 2, 0 and 00

------------------- 13/16" (20mm) ~ This is a large diameter ring. Can be made from many gauges but is very hard to find.

-------------------- 7/8" (22mm) ~ This is a large diameter ring. Can be made from many gauges but is very hard to find.

----------------------- 1" (25mm) ~ This is a large diameter ring. Can be made from many gauges but is more commonly made from the larger gauges ie... 2, 0 and 00

This chart will not necessarily depict actual size. Depending on your computer screen, these examples may appear larger or smaller than the actual size. It's purpose is to show diameters relative to each other. Above conversions are rounded to the nearest mm. See below for actual conversions.

Inch to mm conversion:

1/4" = 6.35mm

5/16" = 7.9375mm

3/8" = 9.525mm

7/16" = 11.1125mm

1/2" = 12.70mm

9/16" = 14.2875mm

5/8" = 15.875mm

11/16" = 17.4625mm

3/4" = 19.05mm

13/16" = 20.6375

7/8" = 22.225mm

1" = 25.4mm